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Abstract:

A method of providing customized feedback to a user based upon user
authentication and/or user identity. The method includes receiving
authentication information from the user at a device, determining one or
more customized feedback associated with the user based upon the
authentication information, and providing at least one of the one or more
customized feedback to the user in response to an occurrence of an event
relating to functions of the device.

Claims:

1. A method of providing customized feedback to a user, comprising:
receiving authentication information from the user at a device
determining one or more customized feedback associated with an event and
the user based upon the authentication information and providing the
determined one or more customized feedback to the user upon an occurrence
of the event at the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one customized feedback is
provided in lieu of at least one default feedback.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one customized feedback is
provided in addition to at least one default feedback.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the one or more
customized feedback includes identifying a customized feedback based on a
user attribute.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing one or more user
groups within the device, each user group having a set of customized
feedback.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising identifying whether the user
is included in one of the one or more user groups based upon the
authentication information.

7. The method of claim 6, the one of the one or more customized feedback
is selected from the customized feedback associated with the user group
with which the user is associated.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining the user attribute
includes determining an aptitude of the user in operating the device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the customized feedback is at least one
of a text display message, a voice message, and a customized data stream
feedback.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the customized feedback is associated
with a plurality of users.

11. A method of communicating with a user, comprising: storing at least
one set of customized feedback messages in a storage medium associated
with a device obtaining a characteristic of the user operating the device
determining whether the obtained characteristic of the user corresponds
to at least one characteristic specified in a distinct one of a plurality
of stored user data, each stored user data including a unique set of
customized feedback messages programmed to override default feedback
messages upon occurrence of events relating to functions of the device
and in response to a positive determination, communicating with the user
using customized feedback messages included in the distinct user data to
which the user is determined to be associated with such that output
feedback of the device is dependent on the characteristic of the user
operating the device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising communicating with the
user using default feedback messages, in response to a negative
determination.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the storing the at least one set of
customized feedback messages includes storing a lookup table including
the at least one set of customized feedback messages, each customized
feedback message associated with one or more default feedback messages.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the obtaining the characteristic of
the user includes determining an aptitude of the user in operating the
device such that the device communicates with the user depending on the
aptitude of the user operating the device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining whether the obtained
characteristic of the user corresponds to at least one characteristic
specified in the distinct one the plurality of stored user data includes
determining a particular user group the user is associated with.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein a single customized feedback message
is output in lieu of at least one default feedback message based upon the
characteristic of the user.

17. A system, comprising: a storage medium for storing a plurality of
default feedback; an input mechanism for accepting at least one
customized feedback to be stored within the storage medium and a
processor for selecting one of the at least one customized feedback based
upon a user credential and outputting the at least one customized
feedback to the user upon an occurrence of an event within a device.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a mapping stored within
the storage medium, the mapping including the at least one customized
feedback, wherein each customized feedback is associated with one or more
default feedback.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor determines the user
credential upon authentication of the user and selectively outputs a
customized feedback stored within the storage medium based upon the user
credential.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the mapping includes one or more user
groups, each user group designated with a unique set of customized
feedback, and wherein the processor processes the user credentials to
identify a user group to which the user is associated to determine a
customized feedback associated with the user group.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] None.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, ETC.

[0003] None.

BACKGROUND

[0004] 1. Technical Field

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to customization of
feedback, and, more particularly, to systems and methods that provide a
user with customized feedback based on user authentication.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] Providing feedback during operation of a device is one method for
ensuring a positive user experience. Feedback is generally used to
provide information to a user, such as when acknowledging user-initiated
actions, confirming the user's input or selection, and providing status
reports, error and/or warning messages and instructions. Feedback may be
provided in various forms perceptible to the human senses including
simple visual signals, such as beacons and graphical or text displays,
and audible signals such as interactive voice responses, beeps or other
audible sounds. Feedback may also be tactile, such as through the use of
haptic technology. Devices, such as printers, copiers, scanners,
facsimile machines or multifunction devices, often provide feedback
through a device user interface. The user interface may include a display
screen for providing feedback in the form of images, videos and/or text
display messages.

[0008] Typically, devices are configured by their manufacturers to contain
a static set of preset feedback information for all users. These devices
may detect the occurrence of events or conditions and may react
accordingly by providing preset feedback information to the user.
However, preset feedback information may still present challenges to some
users because devices may fail to provide features that take into account
the identity or abilities of a particular user when providing the
feedback. A user having limited or no technical background on the device,
for example, may not be able to fully comprehend the feedback
information, especially when the feedback contains highly technical
information. As a further example, users with visual and/or physical
impairments may not be able to perform actions and/or may have difficulty
performing the actions required by the feedback information, such as
replacing cartridges or removing jammed paper.

[0009] Additionally, devices typically do not provide customized feedback
based on user authentication. Rather, known methods of providing
customized content or feedback store the customized content or feedback
on the device used to perform the authentication. For example, customized
content or feedback may be stored in proximity cards along with the
user's authentication data or information. Thus, such content or feedback
is stored for each individual, and members of a group having the same
rights, privileges or abilities are unable to share the same customized
content or feedback.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and system that
customizes user experiences with a device.

SUMMARY

[0011] According to one example embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided a method for providing customized feedback to a user.
An intelligent device may receive authentication information from the
user, determine one or more customized feedback associated with the user
based upon the authentication information, and provide at least one of
the one or more customized feedbacks to the user in response to an
occurrence of an event relating to functions of the device.

[0012] In one aspect, the intelligent device may store at least one set of
customized feedback messages in a storage medium. The intelligent device
may obtain a characteristic of the user operating the intelligent device
and determine whether the obtained characteristic of the user corresponds
to at least one characteristic specified in a distinct one of a plurality
of stored user data. Each stored user data may include a unique set of
customized feedback messages programmed to override default feedback
messages upon occurrences of events relating to functions of the device.
In response to a positive determination, the intelligent device may
communicate with the user using customized feedback messages included in
the distinct user data to which the user is determined to be associated
with such that output feedback of the device is dependent on the
characteristic of the user operating the device.

[0013] In another example embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a
system including a storage medium for storing a plurality of default
feedback information and an input mechanism for accepting at least one
customized feedback information to be stored within the storage medium.
The system may also include a processor for selecting one of the at least
one customized feedback information based upon a user credential and
outputting the at least one customized feedback information to the user
upon an occurrence of an event within a device.

[0014] Other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of the
disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the
present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following
description of example embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals are used to indicate the
same element throughout the specification.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting one example embodiment of an
intelligent device.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one example embodiment of a
method of providing customized feedback to a user of the intelligent
device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The following description and drawings illustrate example
embodiments sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not
limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components
set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
of being carried out in various ways. For example, other embodiments may
incorporate structural, chronological, electrical, process, and other
changes. Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual
components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the
sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some
embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The
scope of the application encompasses the appended claims and all
available equivalents. The following description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is
defined by the appended claims.

[0019] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded
as limiting. The use herein of "including," "comprising," or "having" and
variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and
equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited
otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted," and
variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and
indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms
"connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to
physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Further, the terms "a"
and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0020] It will be further understood that each block of the diagrams, and
combinations of blocks in the diagrams, respectively, may be implemented
by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may
be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or
other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such
that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable
data processing apparatus may create means for implementing the
functionality of each block of the diagrams or combinations of blocks in
the diagrams discussed in detail in the description below.

[0021] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
non-transitory computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or
other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory
produce an article of manufacture including an instruction means that
implements the function specified in the block or blocks. The computer
program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational
steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions that
execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus implement the
functions specified in the block or blocks.

[0022] Accordingly, blocks of the diagrams support combinations of means
for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for
performing the specified functions and program instruction means for
performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each
block of the diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the diagrams, can be
implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that
perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special
purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0023] Disclosed are systems and methods for providing customized feedback
to a user based on user identity. Feedback may be provided whenever a
device needs to communicate information to a user. Feedback may include
information relating to operations and/or functions of the device.
Feedback may be provided to acknowledge user-initiated actions, confirm
the user's input or selection, notify the user of device or job status,
conditions, errors and/or warning messages or instructions. For example,
if a print job requires plain paper for a printing operation and the
media tray is loaded with legal size paper, a user may receive audio or
visual feedback stating "Please load tray 1 with A4 size plain paper."
Other examples of feedback may include, but are not limited to, messages
such as "Tray 2 not inserted properly," "Black cartridge low," "Replace
fuser," "Print job complete," etc. To ensure a more positive user
experience, it may be desirable to provide feedback that is customized
and comprehensible to the user operating and/or accessing the device.
Customized feedback may also be used to extend or enhance preset feedback
and ensure accessibility to all users, including users with disabilities,
by employing additional components and/or methodologies.

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is
shown a block diagram depicting an intelligent device 100 used in
association with the present disclosure. Intelligent device 100 may be a
multi-function device and may include a printer component 105, a scanner
component 110 and/or a facsimile component 115 for performing the
functions of printing, copying, scanning and/or faxing. In one alternate
example embodiment, intelligent device 100 may be a single function
device such as a printer, copier, scanner or facsimile machine. In
another example embodiment, intelligent device 100 may be any type of
equipment, instrument, machine, or device with internal computing
capability.

[0025] Intelligent device 100 may also include a storage medium 120, such
as a hard drive, flash memory, read-only memory (RAM), or any other
storage device capable of storing data. Storage medium 120 may be used to
store a static set of default feedback information. Default feedback
information may include standard, default or preset responses
communicated by default to a user upon an occurrence of a particular
function, event or condition at intelligent device 100. Customized
feedback information may also be stored in storage medium 120. Customized
feedback information may be provided by a user or administrator of
intelligent device 100 and may be provided in addition to or in lieu of a
corresponding default feedback associated with a particular function,
event or condition. In some alternate example embodiments, customized
feedback information, along with one or more user information associated
with the customized feedback, may be stored remotely over the Internet or
in the cloud on a server, a USB drive, an external hard drive, or other
storage location external to intelligent device 100.

[0026] Intelligent device 100 may include a user interface 125, such as a
graphical user interface, a character display, or any other display
mechanism for displaying information to a user. Intelligent device 100
may further include an output mechanism 130, such as an audio speaker,
tactile device, or any other component capable of communicating
information and/or feedback to a user in various formats.

[0027] Intelligent device 100 may also include an input mechanism 135 for
receiving user input. Input mechanism 135 may include one or more user
selectable buttons, a keyboard, a mouse or any other component for
receiving user inputs. In one alternate example embodiment, the user
interface 125 and input mechanism 135 may be a single component, such as
a touch screen display. A user may have access and/or permission to input
customized feedback information at intelligent device 100 using input
mechanism 135. For example, user may create unique feedback for each
condition or event relating to an operation and/or function of
intelligent device 100.

[0028] Customized feedback may be provided to a user via user interface
125 and/or output mechanism 130. In one aspect, customized feedback may
be provided in the form of text-based messages, graphical images, or
video clippings via a display screen of user interface 125. In another
aspect, visual signals may be given via one or more single or
multi-colored lights or light emitting diodes (LEDs). In yet another
aspect, feedback may be provided in the form of audible messages through
one or more audio speakers of output mechanism 130, such as beeps or
other audio indicators, recorded audio clips or messages generated by a
speech synthesizer. In still another aspect, feedback may be tactile in
form such that forces, vibrations, or motions are applied to deliver
feedback information to the user. For example, a data stream feedback may
be provided to a tactile device, such as an articulated Braille display
device, to deliver feedback information to a visually impaired user.

[0029] Intelligent device 100 may also include a processor 140 for
executing instructions which interpret command data or user inputs and
execute or carry out an action corresponding to the command data.
Processor 140 may include a processor unit (not shown) and associated
memory 145. In some example embodiments, processor may be formed as one
or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Memory 145 may
be any memory device convenient for use with and capable of communicating
with processor 140.

[0030] Processor 140 may communicate with printer component 105. Processor
140 may process print data and operate printer component 105 during the
printing of the data onto a sheet of media. Printer component 105 may
include any of a variety of different types of printing mechanisms
including, but not limited to, dye-sublimation, dot-matrix, inkjet and
laser. Printer component 105 may include a carriage for holding at least
one print cartridge or tank, which houses ink or toner.

[0031] In one example aspect, intelligent device 100 may be configured to
include one or more setup options that will allow the user to modify a
default feedback for a particular event and/or input customized feedback
information using input mechanism 135. For example, a feedback
placeholder may be provided on user interface 125 of intelligent device
100 to allow the user to enter content of a customized feedback, and the
user may make use of a program or application running on intelligent
device 100 to set or create customized feedback for a particular event or
condition.

[0032] In another example aspect, the user may enter customized feedback
information from an external device (not shown) connected to intelligent
device 100. Examples of external devices may include, but are not limited
to, a host computer, a workstation, a laptop, a mobile phone, a personal
digital assistant, a tablet or any other device that can actively
communicate with intelligent device 100. For example, a user may make use
of an external client program operating in association with intelligent
device 100 to set or create customized feedback for a particular event or
condition. Intelligent device 100 may receive the customized feedback
information and store the customized feedback information within storage
medium 120 for use as a response when the associated condition or event
occurs.

[0033] In yet another example embodiment, customized audio feedback
messages may be provided by the user to accompany or replace default
feedback. For example, an audible message such as "out of paper" may
accompany a displayed "out of paper" message when a media tray becomes
empty. In one example aspect, intelligent device 100 may be equipped with
a built-in microphone to capture customized audio feedback messages. In
one alternative example aspect, the user may record the customized audio
messages on a host computer, a mobile phone, or any other recording
device and upload the recorded audio messages into intelligent device 100
along with the information necessary to associate the messages with the
user and conditions or events. In still another alternative example
aspect, intelligent device 100 may limit or restrict the input of
customized feedback information and configuration of intelligent device
100 to a system administrator.

[0034] It will be appreciated any application, method or technique capable
of generating feedback may be used to generate the customized feedback or
files containing the customized feedback information and upload the
feedback or files to the target storage area in intelligent device 100.

[0035]FIG. 2 illustrates one example method of providing customized
feedback to a user. The start of the process is shown in block 200, where
intelligent device 100 may authenticate a user to ensure secure access to
intelligent device 100. The user may be authenticated passively by means
of a proximity device, such as a Bluetooth device, an RFID device, a
proximity card, or the like. In some alternate example embodiments, the
user may be authenticated by an active means which requires user
interaction with intelligent device 100 such as through a card reader, a
barcode reader, a fingerprint reader or other biometric device, a USB
drive or through the user entering credentials via input mechanism 135.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any method of
authentication may be utilized.

[0036] At block 205, processor 140 may compile a set of credentials
received during the authentication process to represent the identity of
the current user. In one example embodiment, the set of credentials may
include one or more characteristics or attributes of the user including,
but are not limited to, personal information such as the user's name,
age, contact information, nationality, spoken languages, education,
gender, date of birth and/or other demographic data. Credentials may also
include any handicaps or physical disabilities or limitations of the
user, such as impaired hearing, impaired sight, color blindness, etc.

[0037] At block 210, processor 140 may use the user credentials to
determine whether or not one or more customized feedback information
stored within storage medium 120 is associated with the authenticated
user. In some alternative example embodiments, processor 140 may access a
remote or external storage location, such as the Internet cloud, a
server, a USB drive or an external hard drive, where customized feedback
information may be stored. In one example aspect, intelligent device 100
may be configured to first read the local storage medium 120 before
looking at another external storage location for customized feedback
data. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that
any hierarchical order of accessing storage devices and/or locations may
be utilized.

[0038] In one example embodiment, intelligent device 100 may normally
support a base language and a subset of major languages. By offering easy
customization of feedback, intelligent device 100 may provide a way to
support dialects, linguistic colloquialisms or non-supported languages
without changing the language settings of intelligent device 100. By
taking into account the nationality and/or spoken languages of the
authenticated user after authentication, for example, intelligent device
100 may be able to look up one or more customized feedback information
having language formats that are suitable for the authenticated user and
provide customized feedback in lieu of or in addition to default
feedbacks. Accordingly, it would be possible to support any of the
estimated 6,912 main languages and 39,491 known alternate language names
and dialects in the world while not requiring any modification to
intelligent device 100.

[0039] In another example embodiment, information regarding handicaps or
physical disabilities may be particularly useful in providing appropriate
feedback for disabled users. For example, if the authenticated user is
determined to be visually impaired, a simple spoken message, such as
"Paper jam please contact your system administrator" may be provided so
as not to encourage the blind user to start disassembling the device to
look for the jammed paper.

[0040] In yet another example embodiment, the user credentials may include
information regarding the user's experience in intelligent device 100 or
the user's aptitude and/or ability to access, operate, or maintain
intelligent device 100. Such information may be particularly useful in
providing appropriate feedback for the authenticated user. For example,
the level of information communicated to the authenticated user may
depend on the user's technical expertise and/or experience. For example,
a novice user with very little technical knowledge of intelligent device
100 may be provided with terse or simple basic feedback messages, such as
"out of paper" when the media tray is empty or "the output bin is full"
when there is no more available space in the output tray and all other
errors or messages related to more complicated events or conditions, such
as paper jams or fuser or ink/toner cartridge replacements, may be
referred to the system administrator. In such example embodiments when
such conditions exist, an intermediate level user may have a few more
options and/or get a few more messages, and a highly technical user may
be provided with verbose or complex feedback messages and/or instructions
that provide solutions to the encountered errors and/or problems.

[0041] In one example aspect, customized feedback information may be
associated with a single user and may result in the user having an
individually customized feedback experience on intelligent device 100. In
another example aspect, customized feedback information may be associated
with a group of users sharing common user credentials and may result in
each user of the group having the same user experience.

[0042] At block 220, processor 140 may index storage medium 120 on
intelligent device 100 for future retrieval of feedback information for
particular events or conditions associated with the authenticated user
upon determining that one or more customized feedback information is
associated with the authenticated user. It will be appreciated that since
customized feedback may be input by a user according to preference, each
event or condition may or may not have a corresponding customized
feedback. Processor 140 may utilize the static set of default feedback
stored within storage medium 120 in responding to certain events or
conditions where customized feedback is unavailable or not created by the
user.

[0043] At block 225, intelligent device 100 may remain in an event
monitoring state after the user is authenticated and while the user is
operating the device. Once an event or condition occurs, intelligent
device 100 may read the one or more customized feedback information
associated with the authenticated user to determine if customized
feedback intended for the particular event or condition is available for
the authenticated user (block 230).

[0044] Upon a positive determination, intelligent device 100 may output
the customized feedback to the user at block 240 in lieu of or in
addition to the default feedback for the event or condition. In one
example embodiment, intelligent device 100 may be programmed during
application of a customized setting by the user to override the default
settings and to cause user interface 125 or output mechanism 130 to
output the customized feedback associated with the authenticated user in
lieu of a default feedback when a particular associated event or
condition occurs. In another example embodiment, intelligent device 100
may be programmed to cause user interface 125 or output mechanism 130 to
output the customized feedback associated with the authenticated user
along with the default feedback when a particular associated event or
condition occurs. In one aspect, a user may specify or input the order in
which the customized feedback and default feedback is to be presented to
the user. In another aspect, the order in which the customized feedback
and default feedback is presented to the user may be preset by the
manufacturer or system administrator.

[0045] In one aspect, code may be written within the firmware of
intelligent device 100 to check for the existence of an entry on the
storage medium 120 of an override for a default feedback message
originally programmed to be output in response to the occurrence of the
particular event or condition. In another aspect, the user's credentials
may direct the firmware to look for an association or mapping, such as a
specific location of a configuration table on the storage medium 120,
where the appropriate customized feedback override may be located.

[0046] In some example embodiments, a single customized feedback may be
output in lieu of a number of default feedbacks. For example, a set of
error and/or warning messages may be simplified into a fewer number of
succinct messages, with each succinct message covering a wide number of
conditions and default feedback messages. As a more specific example, a
number of default feedbacks may include paper jam messages, each of which
specifies different locations where the jam occurred. To reduce the
amount of technical information and/or instructions relayed to a novice
user or a visually impaired user, the paper jam messages may be
simplified into a single key message such as "Please contact your system
administrator."

[0047] If a customized feedback for the particular condition or event does
not exist, the default feedback for the particular event or condition may
be output (block 245). In some alternative embodiments, intelligent
device 100 may not provide any feedback for particular events or
conditions.

[0048] Intelligent device 100 may continue to monitor events or conditions
and respond accordingly using the customized feedback information
associated with the currently logged-in user for a predetermined time
interval. Once a time-out occurs, intelligent device 100 may revert back
to using the static set of default feedback information in responding to
specific events or conditions.

[0049] Relatively apparent advantages and benefits of the many embodiments
include, but are not limited to, allowing easy customization of feedback
and enhancing user experience. As mentioned above, the present disclosure
provides a simple and extremely flexible way to provide support for
translated language messages. Intelligent device 100 may support many
languages but may be configured to support a single language at any point
in time. By providing customized feedback messages, each user may be
presented with his or her own native language messages regardless of the
base language of the device. Thus, a device in a certain geographic
location could support a base language while at the same time provide
customized feedback messages in other languages based upon the user's
credentials.

[0050] Moreover, the present disclosure also provides a solution to
customize feedback for the intended audience based on a user or a group
of users' credentials, such as education, age or level of technical
knowledge, and provides a way to simplify a large quantity of device
feedback into a few key messages.

[0051] The present disclosure may also provide a way to customize feedback
by varying voice gender, pitch/intonation, speed, etc., which are
currently the norm within the accessibility software community. Providing
a wide spectrum of configurable options is helps to ensure each user is
able to fully understand the feedback being provided by intelligent
device 100.

[0052] The present disclosure may also provide a way to support output to
other targeted devices. For example, a previously unsupported personal
tactile device may become supported by intelligent device 100 if a
connection between the personal tactile device and intelligent device 100
exists and if a customized data stream is provided by intelligent device
100 to the personal tactile device. Furthermore, the present disclosure
may also provide a way to customize other accessibility components of
intelligent device 100. For example, display changes such as different
backgrounds, magnified displays, or even reverse video display may be
made to accommodate each distinct user.

[0053] In addition to improving user experience, the present disclosure
also introduces the decoupling of the authentication method from the
storage medium or personal device used to store and provide customized
content. This way, utilization of a single personal device, such as a USB
drive, to perform both authentication and providing the customized
content is no longer required. By leveraging existing storage external to
or within intelligent device 100 to store customized feedback
information, customized feedback may be provided without the need to
store customized content on or in the same personal device used for
authentication.

[0054] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set
forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these
disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to
be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are
intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although
specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Patent applications by Randy Allen O'Neal, Georgetown, KY US

Patent applications in class EVENT HANDLING OR EVENT NOTIFICATION

Patent applications in all subclasses EVENT HANDLING OR EVENT NOTIFICATION